Star-Spangled Banner -15 stars, 15 stripes - Flown over Fort McHenry

Updated at 8:45 am on August 8: Sold out. Within two hours of sending out our "Insiders" newsletter this morning, all of four had been ordered. I'm sorry I underestimated the interest in these. I have no idea of when I'll be able get more.

We are, however, continuing to look for flags flown at historic sites and will let you know if and when we are successful in our "Insiders" newsletter, which you can subscribe to here. Thanks very much for your support.

— Lee Wright  |  Founder  |  The History List  |  History Camp

I visited Fort McHenry on July 26, 2019 and asked the Rangers to fly these four flags over the Fort. (This is something they will do for anyone with a flag, schedule and weather permitting.)  Each flag comes with a certificate from Fort McHenry with the date the flag was flown.

These flags are identical in design to the flag that flew over Fort McHenry in 1814, with 15 tilted stars and 15 stripes, though at 3' x 5', quite a bit smaller than the 30' x 42' flag that was made especially for Fort McHenry. (To get an idea of how large that was, each stripe was 2' wide and each star was 2' in diameter.)

In the past we have been able to offer a very limited number of flags flown over historic sites, and I thought these flags flown over Fort McHenry would be of particular interest, not just because of the historic site, but also the usual design.

Note: We only have four, and the flags flown over historic sites that we offered before sold out quickly.

You'll find more information on the history of the Star-Spangled Banner below.

— Lee Wright | Founder | The History List | History Camp

American flag with the 15 stars and 15 stripes flown over Fort McHenry during the War of 1812 and inspired the writing of the National Anthem, The Star Spangled Banner.  

Includes a certificate from Fort McHenry with the date the flag was flown.

Made in the USA using 100% cotton. Sewn stars and stripes, with brass grommets.

Here's the explanation from the manufacturer: ". . .our Bulldog® flag, constructed of heavyweight cotton bunting that provides a vivid color presentation with durability and the traditional look and feel. Bulldog® features embroidered stars and sewn stripes with an historical or traditional texture and appearance.  Bulldog® is best used as a decorative flag . . ."

Our interpretation is that this flag should be flown on special occasions and would not be as durable as flags meant to be flown every day.

Size: 3' x 5'

Historical Background

"This flag became the Official United States Flag on May 1, 1795. Two stars were added for the admission of Vermont (the 14th State on March 4th, 1791) and Kentucky (the 15th State on June 1st, 1792, and was to last for 23 years. The five Presidents who served under this flag were; George Washington (1789-1797), John Adams (1797-1801), Thomas Jefferson (1801-1809), James Madison (1809-1817), and James Monroe (1817-1825).

The 15-star, 15-stripe flag was authorized by the Flag Act of January 13, 1794, adding two stripes and two stars. The regulation went into effect on May 1, 1795. This flag was the only U.S. flag to have more than 13 stripes. It was immortalized by Francis Scott Key during the bombardment of Fort McHenry, Sept 13, 1814. The flag is now preserved in the Smithsonian Museum. You can notice the "tilt" in some of the stars just as in the original Star-Spangled Banner.

Where the original Star-Spangled Banner went:

1814: The battle occurred, and the flag won its glory. Armistead was promoted to Lt. Colonel by Madison. Armistead died in service on April 25, 1818. He acquired the flag sometime before that date, but at this point it is unknown how.

1818: Armistead died and "legend" says that the flag was used in his funeral. However, in all of the newspaper accounts of Armistead's funeral, there is no mention of the flag being displayed at it. At his death the flag passed to his widow, Louisa Armistead.

1824: The flag was used in a reception for General Lafayette.

1861: Louisa Armistead died on October 3, 1861, and in her will left the flag to her daughter, Georgiana Armistead Appleton. The flag was sent to England for safe keeping during the Civil War, according to one of the Armistead family members, who made this statement in a newspaper interview in the 1880's. But Georgiana said, in a letter to Admiral George Preble, that the flag was in her possession during the rebellion.

June 24, 1873: The flag was displayed in the Charleston Naval Yards. Canvas backing was sewn on the flag and one of the first photographs was taken of it.

1876: The flag was loaned to the Navy Department for the Centenial Celebration.

1879: Georgiana Armistead Appleton died in 1879 and left the flag to her son Eben Appleton.

1907: Eben Appleton loaned the flag to the Smithsonian.

1912: Eben Appleton converts the loan of the flag to a gift to the Smithsonian.

1914: Amelia Fowler was commissioned to remove the canvas backing sewn on the flag when it was photographed in 1873 and replace it with a linen backing."

 Source: usflag.org